Thermoelectric generator

Abstract

An apparatus for generating electricity. The apparatus comprises a collar arranged to couple to a pipe and a support having a first planar face, the support being attached to the collar such that it projects away from the collar. The apparatus also has at least one thermoelectric generator attached to the first planar face of the support and a cover attached to the at least one thermoelectric generator.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for generating electricity, the apparatus comprising:
 a collar arranged to be coupled to a pipe, the collar having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion each comprise a semi-annular interface and first and second ends, wherein the semi-annular interfaces of the first and second portions circumscribe at least a portion of the circumference of the pipe, the first ends of each portion are separable and disposable adjacent each other around the pipe, and the second ends of each portion are separable and disposable adjacent each other around the pipe; 
 a first support having a first planar face, the first support extending radially outwardly from an outer radial surface of the first portion of the collar; 
 a second support having a first planar face, the second support extending radially outwardly from an outer radial surface of the second portion of the collar; 
 at least one first thermoelectric generator attached to the first planar face of the first support; 
 at least one second thermoelectric generator attached to the first planar face of the second support; 
 a first cover attached to the at least one first thermoelectric generator and protects the at least one first thermoelectric generator from an outside environment, the first cover comprising a planar face and having a first end and a second end, the planar face of the first cover lying in a plane that is parallel to a plane that includes the first planar face of the first support, the first end of the first cover being adjacent the first end of the first portion of the collar, and the second end of the first cover being adjacent the second end of the first portion of the collar; and 
 a second cover attached to the at least one second thermoelectric generator and protects the at least one second thermoelectric generator from the outside environment, the second cover comprising a planar face and having a first end and a second end, the planar face of the second cover lying in a plane that is parallel to a plane that includes the first planar face of the second support, the first end of the second cover being adjacent the first end of the second portion of the collar, and the second end of the second cover being adjacent the second end of the second portion of the collar, and 
 wherein the first ends of each cover are separable and disposable adjacent each other around the pipe, and the second ends of each cover are separable and disposable adjacent each other around the pipe. 
 
     
     
       2. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first support is attached to the first portion of the collar such that the first planar face of the first support extends substantially perpendicular to the first portion of the collar, and the second support is attached to the second portion of the collar such that the first planar face of the second support extends substantially perpendicular to the second portion of the collar. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the collar is attached to an inner circumferential edge of the first support, and the second portion of the collar is attached to an inner circumferential edge of the second support. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a temperature difference between a fluid flowing within the pipe and the environment surrounding the apparatus is from 0 to 400° C. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the environment surrounding the apparatus is sea water. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first support and the second support are each semi-disk shaped. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions of the collar are hinged, welded, bolted or pinned together. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the size and shape of the first portion and the second portion of the collar are matched to the size and shape of the pipe. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a layer of thermal insulation on an outer surface of the collar. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first support and the second support further comprises a second planar face, and wherein at least one third thermoelectric generator is attached to the second planar face of the first support and at least one fourth thermoelectric generator is attached to the second planar face of the second support. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric generator is a Seebeck generator. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second supports and collar are made of a material that has a thermal conductivity of from 20 to 500 Wm −1  K −1 . 
     
     
       13. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first cover and the second cover each comprise a plurality of fins to increase the surface area of the first cover and the second cover. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first cover and the second cover each comprise a series of grooves to increase the surface area of the first cover and the second cover. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first cover and the first support define a first gap therebetween, the at least one first thermoelectric generator occupying the first gap, and wherein the second cover and the second support define a second gap therebetween, the at least one second thermoelectric generator occupying the second gap. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the first gap and the second gap are filled with a fluid.